Good Morning Lake Powell Photo

Photographer’s Note

This photo did not come easy, taken at Alstrom Point, in the morning with a view of Gunsight Butte and Padre Bay and a high viewpoint over Lake Powell. This is part of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. We drove for about 3 hours on a bumpy dirt road. the last 2 miles or so was so bad we were driving up rocks that were like stairs. We ended up staying out here camping through the night with no facility. We had enough food and water for the night.

High-clearance 4WDs is recommended, but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable with good tires. Road is not passable when there is rain. You will have to pass a decent size creek.

On the way back, we had a broken tire, I meant broken not just flat. It must have been punctured while driving on the rocky area. Lucky enough there were two other cars coming behind us who stayed at the same place the night before. Three very nice guys, one from Germany and two from Phoenix, they stopped to help us changed the spare tire, and they stay behind us to make sure that we made it back to the city okay. If you guys even see this, Thank you!
We even made it in time for our Antelope Canyon photo tour.

See WS for These Gentlemen at Work.

Angshu, herowono, BeBeHooker, npecanhuk, ktanska, s_lush, phwall, Sistercosmo, jwmunro, cherryripe, BelCan75, shevchenko, jhm, Bluejeans, mark_mk, Kielia, akm, mkamionka has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

Angshu (34177) 2009-10-16 0:45

Sabaidie Way
I jump one picture to have the distinction to be the first crtq! This is an amazing view..looks like the one end of the Canyon as you created perspective from the right leading us in. Sun breaking from behind the clouds showing radial rays is a delightful part. Pin-sharp, perfect exposure thanks to your tripod. Considering all the difficulties you had I wonder if you for one instance thought of chuching away the tripod!
Best regards
Angshu

herowono (484) 2009-10-16 0:49

Dear Way,
Very beautiful shot, wonderful view and nice ray of light. Excellent light management and exposure. I like the playful and dramatic sky. Great job and thank you for sharing.
My best regards,
Ismojo

mathieu_greg (173) 2009-10-16 0:55

Perfect photo, nothing to say more!

julia74 (537) 2009-10-16 0:57

Bonjour
Belle photo ! Les couleurs ocre de la terre et de la roche sont adoucies par le ciel et l'eau

baclama (4711) 2009-10-16 1:04

waou...!
what wonderdul shot!
thanks to have make all these kms for see us this view...
wonderful colors ,wonderful rays of sun...
your shot is very good and my english very bad so I stop here and i say you just: bravo!!
TFS
vero

PixelTerror (87137) 2009-10-16 1:04

Hi Way
A very nice view from this dominating pov allowing a comprehensive view, the moment is very well chosen and capture of the sun rays add another interest in addition to the complicated and well contrasted rocks
have a nice day JY

pajaran (4230) 2009-10-16 1:13

Pozdrav, kod nas je osvanuo haladan kisovit dan.
Tesko se dolazi do dobrog mesta da se lepo vidi kanjon, ali vredelo je.
Dobra kompozicija, dobre boje i trenutak snimka.
Mnogo mise svidja ova fotografija.
Zelim ti mnoto ovakvih dobrih fotografija, Paja.

emka (22701) 2009-10-16 1:25

Hi Way, fantastic view of the lake Powell, the view it is quite difficult to get. I was thinking about hiring the big boat like the ones I can see there, it would be fantastic to spend some time like this but we had no enough time and went only by ship to Antelope river. It was also nice.
Wonderful sunrice.

You were very lucky to meet helpful guys. Interesting scene. I would like to see YOU there, but I suppose you made the photo, or ..?
When we are with rented car we rather do not use bumpy roads.
Regards

Maggie

LOOOK13 (3543) 2009-10-16 2:07

Salut.
G R A N D I O S E et F A B U L E U X
De suite dans mes favoris.
Bravo.

Dashab (1336) 2009-10-16 2:09

Hello Wey,
It sounds like this photo did not come without its cost, but all the effort was more than worth it! Beautiful texture of the rocks, great sharpness and perfect light management. The fan of rays is beautiful. TFS! Dasha

serp2000 (9775) 2009-10-16 2:27

Hello, Way,
Superb photo! Wonderful view, excellent colors and details! My compliments!
Greetings from Ural,
Serghei

BeBeHooker (6226) 2009-10-16 2:30

Hi Way!
Amazing landscape, wonderful POV and capture. Good shot. Nice frame.
Cheers!

hardyuno (2699) 2009-10-16 3:03

Hi Way,
this is more than fantastic, this ray of lights and colours.., i'm speechless. Congratulation

And thank god for the helpful guys.

Have a nice weekend
Hartmut

npecanhuk (15090) 2009-10-16 3:08

Hello Way!
That's such a magnificent photograph!
The place is gorgeous and your photo is excellent!
Sharpness, exposure, dof, pov and colors are great!
The composition is simple, but quite effective and attractive!
TFS - congratulations!
Best regards,
Neyvan

yquem46 (8627) 2009-10-16 3:27

Hi Way
When in Utah or Arizona, one has plenty of oportunities to shoot landscapes images. It only takes to open one's eyes. But in this vast topic you do incredibly well and you persistantly deliver masterpieces the one after the other
No problem Way, keep on!
regards
patrick

mirarer (4445) 2009-10-16 4:30

Hi Way,
What a beautiful scenary!. It´s looks a great place.
Very nice light, colors and contrasts.
Regards,
Mirari

BennyV (4972) 2009-10-16 4:53

Hello dear Way,

Crisp clear and razor sharp landscape shot. Technically, this is top work, if you ask me. I like the smoothness on the water (exposure). Hats off!

Benny

pauloog (7079) 2009-10-16 5:14

Hello Way,
An extraordinary clarity and sharpness, I would like to see this photo in big format.
Beautiful shadow colours and the crowning sun rays is wonderful and eye catching.
Regards,
Paul

ktanska (16733) 2009-10-16 5:19

Hi Way,
Those sunrays are icing on the cake. Great viewpoint, and quite new to me. It seems pretty obvious the this lake is artificial, with all those edgy shorelines without vegetation.
Kari

JT50 (1067) 2009-10-16 7:25

Hi Way,
Unique composition.
I marvel at this shot.
Amazing the details, colours, contents
and sharpness you have managed to squeeze
in this beautifull capture. Bravo.
Have a nice weekend.
Janak

carper (66056) 2009-10-16 8:02

pleasant shot here Way,
marvelous view, good backlight shot, fantastic how you handled the light, fantastic sky. I like it a lot my friend, have a good weekend.
regard jaap

s_lush (2720) 2009-10-16 8:11

Hello Way,
This is simply a fantastic view. The land and lake are of so unusual forms and colors. In addition the sky is more than beautiful. I can't hold from adding this nice picture to my favorites. Perfectly excellent job!
Best regards,
Sergiy

sacimar (7800) 2009-10-16 8:48

Hi Way,

other excellent shot my friend, the sun rays trough the clouds are a good visual spectacle, great details of this interesting lake, nice job,

Have a good weekend!

Sergio

maximage (13670) 2009-10-16 10:08

Sabaidie Way!
Merveilleuse image!
Un POV extraordinaire et une lumière de rêve.
Amitiés.
max

Jeppo (12186) 2009-10-16 10:10

hi Way,

what a break of the day....wonderful I would say. and I think the effort was worth...since this is the reward you got

ciao
silvio

yaya13baut (2369) 2009-10-16 10:56

hi Way,
a great light and ray of light from the cloudy sky. that emphasizes the colour of the land.
The calm surface of the lake adds to the quiet mood looking at this landscape.
Yannis

jimkil (626) 2009-10-16 14:26

Beautiful Way
Well worth the effort to get this morning shot. Glen Canyon is beautiful, this capture is not punctured at all. Well handled exposures and the beams of light are superb as are the cloud formations.
Can't wait to see your Antelope captures.
Regards
Jim

chawax (6277) 2009-10-17 1:56

Hi Way,
What an incredible point of view ! The depth of field is excellent and the light and the sky are really fantastic. Taking this photo looked like a hard adventure but it was worth it !
Regards,
Olivier

Sistercosmo (2777) 2009-10-17 5:26

Hi Way,

what a majestic shot! Such extreme light and you got it perfectly. I'm impressed!

Have a great weekend and take good care,
Linda

P.S. Glad you found some friendly helpers!

jwmunro (6273) 2009-10-17 8:37

Good morning Way -

What can I say? Just gorgous....!

Thank you for sharing.

John

cherryripe (19237) 2009-10-17 8:50

Hi Way
The difficult conditions were worth it as the view point is superb and despite the clouds, the light is lovely. Glad you made it in time for Antelope Canyon.
Regards
Nikki

kiks (6163) 2009-10-17 11:50

Incredibel beuatiful this shot. The landschape is something from another planet and the light amazing. Lucky you to have the chance to presence this scene.
Best regards
KIKs

magalik (1470) 2009-10-17 13:09

Hello Way,

Yeah ! Another chapter !
Very impressive landscape but impressive photo also !
Well done Way !
I imagine you have this view in your mind for always.
Earth and sky are beautiful on your photo. You had passed a pact with nature that day no ? ;-)
You're the king of the DOF. Anc colours are just marvelous.
Thanks very much for sharing it with us, it's a real pleasure to see landscapes like this.
All the best Way,

Magali

BelCan75 (2448) 2009-10-17 21:21

Hello Way,

What an amazing shot! The light is stunning, the view is breathtaking and the colours are great. At least it was worth driving all that way on the bumpy dirt road. Excellent work!

eversmile (6543) 2009-10-18 2:12

Hi Way,

Another attractive POV. There are not many photos of Glen Canyon on TE and I do not know the place, so I cannot compare. But this seems just as dazzling as your previous post of the Horse Shoes Bend. Not as famous, but as much dramatic in landscape. I wonder if I don't even prefer this one. The warm colors of the rocks are killing, that's a fantastic promotion for the site. It seems you benefited of a beautiful sunset. Although I am not found of the sunset by itself, the beams of light that come out from it, filtered by the clouds, are charming. I would have been tempted to crop a bit the sky, to keep only a thin layer of it. I am not able to show you what I mean right now, because my WS ration is already reached today, but maybe tomorrow?
Regards
Marine

[workshop] [compare] +

PainDivine69 (145) 2009-10-18 3:57

Dear Way,
this is an impressive capture. Great colours and contrasts, especially concerning the upper part of the image. The sunrays bursting through the clouds is very beautiful!

Regards, Björn

dkeus31 (26487) 2009-10-18 12:54

Hi Way
great light and exposure, I like how you managed the contrasts between rocks and sky
didier

Pablo25 (1787) 2009-10-18 13:44

hello Way,
great shot, I think one of the best in your gallery. Sharpness and clarity are excellent here. I also like sunrays coming out of the sky. You captured beautiful moment and you've done it very well. Congratulations!
best regards
Pawel

gneufeld (15285) 2009-10-18 15:58

Hi Way,
A very unusual and unique image with stunning clarity and sharpness. Great light and colors - a spectacular place expertly capture. TFS. Gerald

shevchenko (10170) 2009-10-18 20:56

Hi Way,
Good pov to show the wide landscape and the rays of sunlight able to admire from a far distance, unique geographical feature, not sure whether canyons surrounding the water or oppesite, fantastic bright sunlight breaking the cloudy sky, distinct photo, well done.
Ally

jonathan_hart (22737) 2009-10-19 3:07

well controlled, bright foreground and fine sky with beautiful sunbeams, gorgeous place!
jc

holmertz (10105) 2009-10-19 7:49

Hello, you hardworking photographer,
A brilliant shot with brilliant rays through the beautiful clouds. The strangely shaped rocks surround the water very nicely. SUPERB SHARPNESS AS USUAL.
Regards,
Gert

bracasha75 (22507) 2009-10-19 13:35

Helo Way
Fantastic view on lake powel at early morning and beautiful sun rays who show us how looks eternity
TFS
Cheers,Braca

jhm (83684) 2009-10-20 4:02

Hello Way,

That's such a magnificent photograph, the place is gorgeous and your photo is excellent.
You create a very nice perspective and depth.
Soft for look at, a very nice sharpness and clarity.
Very well composition and real colours. TFS.

Best regards,
John.

Bluejeans (33345) 2009-10-20 9:44

Ola Way ,
Que fantástica foto!!! , lindos detalhes como cores, uma paisagem deslumbrante , gostei muito do céu ,parabéns!!
Um abraço Gonçalo

cd70 (777) 2009-10-20 15:49

Hi Way,
c'est toujours aussi impressionnant !
une netteté parfaite une lumière très flatteuse, et une exposition bien maîtrisée. Les différents plans sont étagés de manière très aérés.
C'est parfait !
A + Cyrille

subhendu_bagchi (3726) 2009-10-20 16:34

Hi Way,
nice rocky area with beautiful lake at middle. The morning light of sky and in water made it fantastic. Exposer and POV well chosen. Depth and sharpness great. I think the place with rocks in foreground creates more contrast and looking more graceful. Very well done. Tfs.
Have a nice morning.
Subhendu

mark_mk (246) 2009-10-21 11:37

Hi Way,
dude, its so nice to come back to TE after some time and see these stunners you presented lately! You posted some really awesome shots lately, I´m just gonna start with this one here! You know what, I hate you for having a shot that I want to make myself soooo bad ;-) You really did great here, the light is just lovely, the point of view stunning and the location... well I love Lake Powell and one day I will come back there to make a shot, which might be able to somehow compete with this one (although that´s going to be a tough task). You have a stunner here! I mean you have lots of beautiful images in your gallery, but this one is one that really stands out amongst your latest shots (well your new one is also a picture that I´m jealous off, but don´t tell anyone ;-)))
Thanks so much for this image, I will also drop a critique on the Antelope canyon one a bit later. Great, great shot!

Take good care
Mark

Kielia (8799) 2009-10-23 5:50

Hello Way,
excellent composition with a great atmosphere of this fascinating landscape accompanied by a very interesting note. The colors are brilliant. The light is also amazing. This image was worth all the trouble you had and the photo in WS shows the damaged wheel very well!
Warm regards
Harriet

john1 (2545) 2009-10-23 6:13

Hello Way

Good to see you, a beautiful composition and framing is excellent. A beautiful sunrise, lots of light and the effect of sun in the morning is beautiful.
The details and depth of field is beautiful.
Good sharpness and clarity.
Good day.
John

baba_flies (8175) 2009-10-24 0:41

Hello Way! Six favorites so far, what can my small opinion add other than I AGREE to most what has been said probably. Love your note and how you got here to make this wonderful shot. My friend told me the other day that she and her friend got stock once in Australia when the rain came, for three full days without seeing one single soul. They thought it was their end. This all tells me that careful planning is ALWAYS essential and that you cannot just drive off and think it will be okay. Your story also tells me that a good photo should always have a nice story on the side. It makes us appreciate this even more after what you went through. Wow I love these sunrays coming out from the clouds as if they wanted to take care of us and you. Very very nice!!! Happy day, greetings from Unterwasser, the snow has melted meanwhile but when we arrived more than a week ago it was more winter than fall. We went to Bad Ragaz ... they have renovated the spa ... perfect weather to sit in the warm or even hot water ... Barbara.

macondo (13323) 2009-10-26 23:55

Hello Way.
You had to be an intrepid 4WD adventurer to get to this place for the shot! The landscape is amazing, and you timed it so well to catch the rays coming through the clouds of the low sun. Great exposure gives an enormous amount of detail, even on the shadow side of the rocky formations. The water looks like satin. Fantastic shot and good note.
Regards,
Andrew

scalerman (25787) 2009-11-07 9:00

Way: you're on your way to being one of the finest of late - superb light management and DOF - excellent. c

Tweety (3470) 2009-11-07 11:28

Salut Way,
Non seulement le paysage que tu nous proposes est incroyable, mais en plus le tout est servi par une lumière assez fabuleuse. Je me régale à contempler cette photo et à parcourir ce paysage.
Bravo à toi.
Christophe

akm (916) 2009-12-03 8:39

Hello Way,
Your extraordinary and beautiful image takes me back three decades to when I was in charge of a field trip on a project for the US Air Force. We had to assess sites in Nevada, Utah and New Mexico and the Air Force provided a small plane for my team. As we were making our way from Utah down to New Mexico, a storm forced us to overnight at Page. We stayed at the Hoiday Inn, which was actually closed for renovations – a spooky experience. Getting up in the small hours to make up time provided another ghostly experience – Lake Powell at dawn. We saw it from the plane – so didn’t have to go through what you did. We didn’t get to take photographs but the image has remained vividly in my head.

Thank you for a magnificent shot and for the memories!
Regards,
Mary

mkamionka (5010) 2009-12-12 2:54

Hi Way,
I admire very much your gallery. When I was planning my trip to Southwest I did use into account some of your suggestions. For example at the Horseshoe Bend (still did not manage to catch the whole bend). But I see I have missed some of your pictures which could have helped me to plan my trip even better.
I will certainly come back here if I ever go to southwest again.
This picture is really jaw dropping. First of all the lanscape is incredible so weird so unique! But the light and the sky which you caught are amazing and would be great even without the landscape, so together it make really a spectacular photo.
Great catch, congratulations. It was worth the effort!
M